Former NYPD employee who claims he was wrongfully fired for his friendship with former President Trump’s former adviser Roger Stone, judge dismisses some aspects of lawsuit related to First Amendment protections Despite this, the federal lawsuit is proceeding.
Sal Greco wrote that then New York Police Commissioner Keecchant Sewell, Deputy Attorney General Ernest Hart, Internal Affairs Group Commander Daniel Cutter, and Internal Affairs Group Sergeant Jeremy Orenstein described “personal ‘family relationships’ and ‘ Stone, Kristin Davis, Members of the OATH Keepers, Proud Boys, and “Political Relations with Others Who Support President Trump’s America and Make America Great Again” political paradigm[.]”
The lawsuit, filed in August 2022, alleges that the defendants violated their First Amendment rights to freedom of speech and association.
In a new order Tuesday, Senior Federal District Judge Frederick Bullock of Brooklyn said the defendants’ motion to dismiss was partially granted and partially denied, citing Greco’s First Amendment “intimate companionship.” The court ruled that his New York labor law allegations were related to allegations of discrimination. He was dismissed for his political activities outside of employee working hours.
Oathkeeper Roger Stone Guard sentenced to four and a half years in prison from January to six charges
Roger Stone, former adviser to President Donald Trump’s campaign, speaks at the Turning Point Action Conference on Sunday, July 16, 2023 in West Palm Beach, Florida. (Eva Marie Uzkategi/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
But the judge also wrote that Greco had a legitimate representational relevance claim and that “a limited liability is inappropriate at this stage.” Bullock acknowledged the allegation that Sewell, Hart, Cutter, and Orenstein could have retaliated against Greco’s political support for Stone.
The lawsuit pursues each defendant individually and in their official capacity as employees of the New York Police Department.
“I am pleased with the court’s decision to allow this case to proceed and to prove that the defendants fired me not only for my friendship with Roger Stone, but for my support of President Donald Trump. I look forward to my day in court.” Greco told the New York Daily News that he was fired for “14 years of impeccable service.”
Greco’s attorney, Eric Saunders, added that “the key allegations are upheld and will continue,” adding that “these defendants have accused Greco of supporting the MAGA movement founded by President Donald J. Trump.” We look forward to discovering further evidence proving that we have retaliated against.” . ”
Tuesday’s order reiterated how New York Police Department Assistant Commissioner Paul M. Gamble released a report in June 2022 that found Greco to have violated four of five of the department’s alleged disciplinary violations. ing. The ministry took issue with Greco’s association with someone involved in criminal activity. Stone was convicted in November 2019 of obstructing a congressional investigation into Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election, but President Trump later commuted the sentence to 2020.
On Thursday, October 13, 2022, Roger Stone will be on screen as the House Select Committee investigating the January 6th Capitol shootings. (Javin Botsford/Washington Post via Getty Images)
The team investigating Trump’s classified documents also includes a veteran Justice Department official who prosecuted one of his top allies.
The New York Police Department also said it took issue with Greco’s unofficial assistance with Stone’s security duties in Washington DC on January 5 and 6, 2021.
Greco is said to have driven Stone and Davis to a hotel on January 5 with OATH Keepers co-founder Joshua James. Greco carried an NYPD-issued out-of-duty gun to take Stone to a barber shop, and unsuccessfully showed a Secret Service agent his NYPD ID in an attempt to get Stone to attend a Trump speech. testified that he did.
Stone ended up not attending the event, so Greco drove him back to the airport to leave Washington, DC.
Gamble also found that Greco violated department policy by failing to cooperate with the NYPD’s internal investigation into his activities related to the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol riot. .
Gamble nevertheless found “insufficient evidence to suggest that Greco was aware of his association with members of organizations that advocated hatred and bigotry.”
Roger Stone, then-President Trump’s longtime vice president, waves as he arrives at the hearing in the criminal case filed against him by Special Counsel Robert Mueller in U.S. District Court in Washington, U.S., April 30, 2019. political allies). (Reuters/Joshua Roberts)
Gamble said Greco was likely to be “permanently endangered in the eyes of the public and fellow police officers” and was “guided not by the terms of the patrol guide, but by his own moral compass.” concluded. In recommending his dismissal, Mr. Gamble wrote that Mr. Greco’s continued service with the NYPD would “erode the mission and values” of the city.
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Sewell agreed, and Greco was fired on August 4, 2022.
Greco claims Stone is a “very close friend” and has been “a friend and family member since 2018.” The two exchanged messages on Instagram and text messages, and met several times, including at the Capitol on January 5 and 6, 2021. A judge on Tuesday noted that Greco’s relationship with Stone and Davis was “outside the family” and not protected by law. Constitution.
